Senior HR Partner/Generalist (Contract)

Antora Energy delivers affordable, reliable energy to industry, data centers, and the grid. Our thermal batteries turn low-cost electricity into always-on heat and power, without supply-constrained critical minerals or multi-year construction timelines. We are growing our company with people who put team and mission first, value connection through laughter and joy, and work with humility and openness. We are committed to building a diverse, passionate, and creative team dedicated to a future powered by abundant, clean, low-cost energy. Position Summary Antora is looking for an Senior HR Generalist / People Partner who combines hands-on ownership of day-to-day people operations with the judgment to manage more complex employee relations, manager coaching, and people-program work. This role is the primary point of contact for a defined group of employees and managers, running the operational engine of payroll, benefits, onboarding/offboarding, immigration, and leave administration, while also partnering with leaders on team effectiveness, organizational change, and moderately complex employee relations matters. It suits someone who is equally comfortable processing a payroll change in UKG and coaching a manager through a difficult conversation, and who can work independently while collaborating closely with the broader People Team. Roles & Responsibilities • Serve as a trusted point of contact for employees and managers, answering questions about HR programs, policies, and benefits, and escalating complex issues when needed. • Manage employee onboarding and offboarding end-to-end (orientation to terminations) with a focus on employee experience. • Own day-to-day HR operations: HRIS/UKG maintenance and reporting, payroll support, benefits administration, leave-of-absence (parental, FMLA, disability) and immigration case support) in partnership with outside counsel. • Manage moderately complex employee relations matters — including workers' comp claims, investigations, and terminations — assessing risk and recommending solutions in partnership with legal and HR colleagues as needed. • Partner with managers to support team effectiveness, performance, development, and engagement; provide coaching on people decisions and escalate complex issues to senior HR as needed. • Support organizational design and change initiatives by identifying implications for people, advising on communications, and helping teams navigate transitions. • Partner with leaders on workforce planning, headcount needs, and org health insights using people data and trends. • Own or co-own the rollout of people programs (performance cycles, engagement initiatives, onboarding improvements, benefit enrollment, compensation planning, capability-building efforts). • Interpret HR policies and employment law to guide decision-making across salaried and hourly populations, staying current on regulations, trends, and best practices. • Strengthen cross-functional partnerships with HR Operations, Talent Acquisition, Payroll/Finance, and other teams to enable effective execution and continuous improvement. • Lead or support other people-program projects and initiatives as needed. Key Qualifications • 5+ years of human resources or people operations experience supporting managers and employees in a fast-paced environment. • Demonstrated ability to manage moderately complex employee relations and organizational challenges with increasing independence. • Hands-on experience owning HR operational work (HRIS, payroll support, benefits, leave administration, immigration coordination) as well as advising managers on team-level decisions. • Comprehensive knowledge of HR policies, best practices, and employment law across HR disciplines (performance, development, policy, org effectiveness). • Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills, both written and verbal. • High discretion and judgment, with the ability to handle sensitive matters and employee data with impeccable attention to detail. • Proven ability to build trust and collaborate across teams, and experience rolling out new people programs, processes, and policies. Additional Qualifications Desired • Experience providing HR support to employees in a manufacturing production environment. • Experience in a fast-paced startup environment. • PHR or SPHR certification. • Experience with UKG. Work Location: Onsite/Hybrid - San Jose, CA 8 month contract Salary Range: $64.00/hr USD - $77.00/hr USD Salary Basis: Hourly Please note that the salary range listed above reflects Antora Energy's estimated pay for this position. The actual salary offered will be within the posted range and determined based on several factors including but not limited to a candidate's experiences, credentials and expertise, as they pertain to the position's requirements. #LI-Onsite When it comes to stopping climate change, we need everyone. We believe that having a diversity of backgrounds and experiences strengthens all of us, and we strive to create an environment where every one of us is empowered to create meaningful change.